Will My Kidneys Fail? Learn How To Predict Your Kidney Health Future


Kidney disease raises a fundamental question for every patient: "Now that I have kidney disease, how long will my kidneys keep functioning?"

In this video, I'll explain a simple way to estimate this time period. We'll discuss a couple of equations, and in the end, I'll share how early detection of kidney disease can be good news for you.

Greetings from Dr. Waiz of Expert Clinic in Lahore, Pakistan.

When a person is diagnosed with kidney disease, the first thing that comes to mind is dialysis. Often, doctors will quickly suggest that dialysis is necessary. This may be due to the fact that many patients visit the doctor at a very late stage of the disease, leading to a widespread belief about the immediate need for dialysis.

However, the bottom line is this: as soon as someone is diagnosed with kidney disease, they start hearing the word "dialysis" from all directions.

Let's put aside these misconceptions for a moment and look at things logically. We will try to understand how you can calculate when chronic kidney disease (CKD) might progress to complete kidney failure.

When diagnosed with CKD, I always recommend that your creatinine levels remain stable for at least three months. For example, if your creatinine levels rise to 1.4, 1.5, or 1.7, this could be due to various reasons like medication, high protein intake, or excessive exercise. That's why doctors check your creatinine levels continuously for three months to confirm if they stay elevated.

During these three months, a full evaluation is also conducted to check if you have diabetes, high blood pressure, or any other condition that could cause kidney disease. After confirming all this over three months, the diagnosis is finalized: it's chronic kidney disease, which cannot be reversed. The focus now is on managing the condition effectively.

What Should You Keep in Mind When Diagnosed with CKD?

Let's imagine your or your patient's estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) is 50. This eGFR gradually declines as we age because our kidneys become slightly weaker. However, since our kidneys have enough function to compensate, a person without kidney disease usually doesn’t notice a decline. Even in a healthy individual, the kidney function decreases slightly each year.

For a healthy person with no history of kidney disease, the eGFR might decrease by about 1 mL per minute per year or even less. Given that the typical eGFR value is around 125, this means that after 70 to 80 years, it might fall below 60. This is why chronic kidney disease or significant kidney damage rarely appears in healthy individuals.

Understanding eGFR Decline in CKD Patients

For CKD patients, eGFR declines every year as well, but it happens at different rates. We can classify CKD patients into three major groups:

  1. Ideal Group: These patients manage their kidney disease very well. Their eGFR decreases by less than 2 mL per minute per year.
  2. Poorly Managed Group: These patients have a decline in eGFR between 2 to 5 mL per minute per year. This suggests poor management of the disease.
  3. Rapid Decline Group: In this group, the eGFR drops by more than 5 mL per minute per year. This is termed rapid declining kidney function.

How to Use These Numbers Practically

Let’s take a practical example. Consider a 50-year-old man with Stage 3 CKD and an eGFR of 50. If this individual manages their kidney disease well, their eGFR should decline by no more than 2 mL per minute per year. This means that they might not need dialysis for about 20 years, assuming the eGFR drops steadily by 2 mL per year.

However, if their eGFR decreases at a faster rate, say 4 mL per minute per year, it will only take 10 years to reach the dialysis stage. This example illustrates the importance of good disease management.

For those who never consider managing their kidney disease and live carelessly, their eGFR might decline by 5 mL per minute per year or even faster. These patients often progress to needing dialysis within a few years.

Conclusion

Managing kidney disease effectively is crucial. Patients should monitor their condition closely, manage their lifestyle, and follow medical advice to slow the progression of the disease. Understanding how to calculate and interpret eGFR decline can help patients plan and manage their kidney health better.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Finding the Best Milk for Chronic Kidney Disease: A Complete Guide

Image
If you have chronic kidney disease (CKD), choosing the right milk can make a big difference in your health. In this guide, we’ll explore various types of milk, including cow's milk, almond milk, oat milk, rice milk, soy milk, and more. I’ll also share what to look for when selecting a kidney-friendly milk and specific brands that meet these criteria. Let’s dive in! What Makes a Milk Kidney-Friendly? For people with CKD who are not on dialysis , protein content in milk is a key consideration. One cup of regular cow's milk contains about 8 grams of protein, which can be as much as 20% of your daily protein intake. For many with CKD, it's better to get protein from other sources. This is where plant-based milk alternatives come in handy, offering lower protein content and a wider variety of choices. Other Important Factors to Consider: Phosphorus: Cow's milk is also high in phosphorus, which can harm your kidneys and cardiovascular system if consumed in excess....
Read more

Easy Kidney-Friendly Salad Dressing Recipe with Hummus – Low Sodium & Low Potassium

Image
I’m Michelle Crosmer, a renal dietician, and today I’m excited to share with you one of the easiest salad dressings you’ll ever make. Whether you're managing kidney health or just looking for a simple, nutritious option, this dressing is perfect. Let’s dive in! Step 1: Build Your Salad Before we get to the dressing, let’s start with the salad itself. I’ve prepared a large, single-serving salad that includes: 3 cups of leafy greens : I used 2 cups of butter lettuce and 1 cup of raw spinach. You can choose any greens you prefer. 1 cup of assorted vegetables : I added ½ cup of tomatoes and ½ cup of cucumbers. If you're on a low-potassium diet, swap out high-potassium vegetables like tomatoes for options like bell peppers or jicama. ½ cup of plant-based protein : For this salad, I used edamame, but you can choose chickpeas, black beans, tofu, or tempeh, depending on your protein and potassium needs. This salad is just the right portion size for me, but feel free to adju...
Read more

Are Veggie Burgers a Superfood for Kidney Disease?

Image
Hi, I’m Robert from Healthy Kidney Inc., and today I want to share why I believe veggie burgers can be a superfood for those managing kidney disease. Veggie burgers offer a flexible option for various renal diets, whether you need to follow a low-protein, high-protein, or something in between. They come in a wide range of varieties, which makes them adaptable to different dietary needs. That’s why I think veggie burgers are an excellent addition to a renal-friendly diet. In my household, we love veggie burgers. We eat them regularly, and they’re a lifesaver when we go out or attend social gatherings. For example, this past Labor Day, I went to a barbecue. Eating out can be tricky when you’re trying to stick to a renal diet, but I knew there would be veggie burgers on the menu, so I was able to relax. I didn’t even have to bring my own food! Navigating a BBQ on a Renal Diet At the barbecue, they served Earth Grown Veggie Burgers, which worked well for my renal diet. The burg...
Read more